| Front Page | 
15 'militants' held in north
Fifteen suspected militants were arrested in three northern districts yesterday as police mounted a hunt for Islamist fundamentalists.
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Still looking for the missing
The death toll from a launch capsize in the river Buriganga rose to 149 yesterday as hundreds of distraught relatives thronged a riverbank desperate for news of missing family members.
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Shipping ministry under fire for unsafe waterways
A parliamentary body yesterday observed that the shipping ministry's failure to effectively monitor the vessels plying the inland waterways is one of the reasons for frequent launch disasters.
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Over 500 killed as quake rocks Iran
A strong earthquake hit southeast Iran yesterday, killing more than 500 people, injuring hundreds and destroying villages, a local official said.
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Crucial Washington meeting on governance today
The much-hyped 2-day donors' meeting on Bangladesh begins in Washington today at the behest of Europeans concerned over deteriorating governance, rising lawlessness and a fear of Islamist militants' uprising.
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Donors excluded Dhaka for govt failure: Hasina
Leader of the Opposition and Awami League (AL) Presidemt Sheikh Hasina yesterday said the failure of the BNP-led coalition in governing the country prompted the development partners to organise the Washington
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Asma Kibria asks why delay in FBI probe
Asma Kibria, wife of slain SAMS Kibria, yesterday demanded the government explain the delay in having an FBI investigation into the Habiganj carnage.
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Foreign ministry fails to build country's image
The foreign ministry cannot function effectively in building up the country's image and launching economic diplomacy abroad due to financial shortcomings and structural flaws, a Jatiya Sangsad (JS) body
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1.5 acre Kapasia land drops to 20ft below
About one and half acres of land along the Sripur-Kapasia Highway in Kapasia, 40 kilometres off Dhaka, suddenly subsided as much as 15 to 20 feet yesterday morning.
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BB nod to Premier Bank MD under question
The Bangladesh Bank gave no objection certificate (NOC) to Managing Director of the Premier Bank Ltd Kazi Abdul Mazid although the central bank found him guilty of involvement in various irregularities
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Rupali operations may be halted before private take-over
Operations of Rupali Bank may be suspended for a few weeks in preparations to handing it over to a private management, according to an understanding between the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the
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Iraqi Shi'ites propose Jaafari as PM
Iraq 's main Shi'ite alliance proposed Ibrahim al-Jaafari for prime minister Tuesday, signalling the soft-spoken doctor will almost certainly get the job after the alliance's success in last month's election.
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JMJB plans to attack police camps to build armoury
Leaders of Jagrata Muslim Janata Bangladesh (JMJB) said they are planning to attack the police stations across the country to collect arms and ammunitions.
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Bomb hoax at Brac HQ
Panic spread among the employees of Brac head office in the capital yesterday following a phony phone call informing police that a bomb was set on the fourth floor of the building.
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Myanmar FM due tomorrow
Myanmar Foreign Minister Nyan Win arrives in Dhaka tomorrow on a three-day official visit to Bangladesh to discuss ways for further cooperation between the two countries in the field of trade and commerce,
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Rab holds 3 with 750g heroin from Pallabi
The Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) yesterday arrested three alleged drug peddlers including a couple with 750g heroin from the city's Pallabi area.
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Two arrestees remanded
Two people arrested in connection with the grenade explosion at a shrine in Kulaura upazila of Moulvibazar were put on a seven-day remand yesterday.
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Unocal president, director exempted from personal court appearance
The High Court (HC) yesterday exempted Unocal Bangladesh Chapter's President Andrew L Sawthorp and Legal Director Chye Koh from personal appearance before the court in a contempt of court case filed by
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Bill to allow free access to US market placed
A bill seeking duty-free access of all Bangladeshi products to the US market was placed at the lower chamber of Congress on February 17.
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Biman worried over EU decision on delayed flights
Biman Bangladesh Airlines is anxious over a European Union (EU) decision that provides compensation to passengers for delayed flights.
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JP skips JS session over dev fund allocation
The Jatiya Party (Ershad) lawmakers yesterday boycotted the parliament session protesting the government reluctance to allocate development funds to their constituencies.
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Fair postponed after bomb threat
District women affairs department postponed a fair scheduled to be held on the Jhenidah Public Library premises yesterday after criminals threatened to launch a bomb attack there.
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Outlaw die in 'crossfire'
A regional leader of outlawed Purbo Banglar Communist Party (PBCP) was killed in a 'shootout' between police and members of the outfit at village Dakhalpur in Kaliganj upazila of Jhenidah district early
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Tremor jolts Ctg
A mild tremor shook Chittagong and its adjoining areas yesterday afternoon.
The tremor measuring 4.8 on the Richter scale occurred at 1:47pm and lasted for 28 seconds.
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| Business |
Globalisation depriving labourers of rights
The globalisation process is depriving labourers of their rights, putting them in vulnerable condition, speakers said at an international seminar in Dhaka yesterday.
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Ctg int’l trade fair begins
The 13th Chittagong International Trade Fair (CITF) began here yesterday with a call to shun hartal to ensure uninterrupted business activities.
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Bangladesh, France to hold trade shows in Paris, Dhaka this year
Bangladesh and France will hold trade shows in each other's capital cities by the end of this year, French Ambassador to Bangladesh Jacques-Andre’ Costilhes said yesterday.
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Local firm joins hands with US instt to train hotel caterers
A local company has teamed up with an American educational institute to groom hotel caterers and tourism managers in Bangladesh.
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Cell phone set makers face keen competition
Investors seeking to plunk down money in mobile phone manufacturing are being warned to watch their step because of sizzling competition and overloaded production capacity in the sector.
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Asian freight rates firm as China buyers return
Shipping rates in Asia have edged up this week as Chinese buyers returned from the Lunar New Year holiday, and the market is seen holding firm in coming weeks as shipments of South American new cropsbegin,
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Agora's third outlet opens at Maghbazar
Chain superstore Agora yesterday opened its third outlet at Maghbazar in Dhaka.
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India's central bank forex action may push back rate rise Analysts say
Aggressive intervention by the Indian central bank to guide the value of the rupee lower against the dollar has reduced the chances of an increase in interest rates in April, analysts say.
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Ctg apparel, accessories show from tomorrow
The 3rd Chittagong Apparel, Fabric and Accessories Exposition (Cafaxpo) 2005 will begin tomorrow in the port city.
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Citigroup senior executive in Dhaka
Robert A. Annibale, Citigroup's global director of Microfinance, is now in Dhaka on a four-day visit.
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India likely to unveil budget Monday
India's Congress-led government is likely to unveil fresh economic reforms and new privatisation targets in its annual budget next Monday while striving to appease its communist backers by spending on
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New DMD of Bashundhara Group
Md Mustafizur Rahman has become the new deputy managing director of Bashundhara Group.
Prior to his new assignment, he was senior executive director of the group, says a press release.
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Japan may resume US beef imports
The US beef trade is expecting that Japan, its number one customer, to reopen its market for US beef by July and other countries should also be soon to follow, a senior industry official said Monday.
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South Korea's Hyundai wins $630m orders
South Korea's Hyundai Mipo Dockyard, affiliate of the world's largest shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries, said Tuesday it had won new orders worth 630 million dollars to build 11 container ships.
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| Sports |
Cricket:
Tough baptism for BCB XI
The first appearance by a Bangladesh team in the Duleep Trophy, India's major first-class competition, proved to be a difficult day in the field at the Vidarbha Cricket Ground here yesterday.
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Cricket:
Saqib spins BD A to victory
Bangladesh A took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match Test series against Zimbabwe A when they cruised to 190-run victory in the second Test at Bulawayo yesterday.
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Cricket:
TV row threatens Pakistan's tour
Pakistan's tour of India is in doubt because of a long-running court battle over TV rights, the head of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has said.
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Cricket:
India's time to payback
Pramod Ojha went to Lahore last year hoping to see the Indian cricket team thrash Pakistan. By the end of his trip, he had lost his heart to a country he had been brought up to dislike.
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Cricket:
Hayden hammers Kiwis
Australian opener Matthew Hayden returned to his majestic best with a superb century as the world champions trounced New Zealand by 106 runs in the second one-day international Tuesday.
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Cricket:
It's Bashar vs Mahmud
Dhaka host Khulna in a mouth-watering top-of-the-table clash in the third round of the Ispahani Sixth National Cricket League.
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Cricket:
Bucknor to get Golden Bails
Steve Bucknor is set to become the first umpire to stand in 100 Tests when he officiates during next month's series between India and Pakistan.
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Cricket:
Blignaut back for Zimbabwe
Zimbabwean rebel cricketer Andy Blignaut has rejoined his country's cricket squad and signed a contract, following his axing last year over a row about racial bias in selection, Zimbabwe Cricket saidMonday.
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Cricket:
Lord's Tavern to dry up
For years it has been as much a feature for many fans of attending a match at Lord's Cricket Ground as the Pavilion, the slope on the pitch and the Father Time weathervane.
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Football:
His insatiable appetite
Barcelona playmaker Ronaldinho has a simple but big ambition this season -- to win everything.
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Football:
Nou Camp the place to be
Well-worn though the clash of the titans cliche may be in footballing terms, few would argue against its use for Barcelona's mouthwatering Champions League tussle against Chelsea on Wednesday.
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Football:
Milan's sweet memories
The last time AC Milan visited Old Trafford they went home with the European Cup.
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Cricket:
Waqar seeks long career
Waqar Younis has revealed to the BBC he will help out the Pakistan side, but not just for the India series.
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Hockey:
Five-star Krishna
Krishna Kumar scored five goals including a hattrick as Mukta Bihanga Tarun Sangha outplayed Shantinagar Sporting Club 8-0 in the Green Delta First Division Hockey League at the Maulana Bhashani National
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Chess:
National chess qualifiers end
Mehdi Hasan Parag became champion in the 31st National Chess Championship qualifiers beating Abdul Maleq in the final round at the federation hall room yesterday.
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Football:
Away from the glitz
The Nou Camp serves up arguably the main dish of Wednesday's Champions League action with Chelsea aiming to take out their FA Cup frustration on Barcelona.
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Cricket:
Gaibandha cricket
Ghagot Krira Chakra beat Gorsthanpara Krira Sangstha by five wickets in the First Division Cricket League at the Gaibandha Stadium yesterday.
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Football:
Diego wants documentary on his life
Argentinian football legend Diego Maradona has asked celebrated Balkan director Emir Kusturica to make a documentary about his colourful life, a report said Tuesday.
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| National |
Palm cultivation in fallow high lands
Netrakona: Bangladesh, like tropical Malaysia, can raise palm gardens in fallow hilly and high lands to meet its demand for edible oil.
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Gas from Moulvibazar now by end of March
Supply of gas from well no.
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Students demand govt step for continuing studies
Students of Northern Medical College in Rangpur staged a sit-in in front of Rangpur Press Club yesterday demanding government steps for continuation of studies elsewhere.
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IRRI-Boro faces setback in 16 N districts
Irrigation is being hampered in the ongoing IRRI-Boro cultivation season due to fuel price hike and load shedding in 16 districts under Rajshahi division.
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Shrimp culture in Satkhira protested
Over 4000 people from Bardal, a remote union in Assassuni upazila, brought out a precession in Satkhira town and held a rally in front of the collectorate building yesterday protesting shrimp cultivation
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AL-backed panel sweeps Satkhira Bar polls
The Awami League (AL) backed panel swept the Satkhira Bar Association polls bagging 10 posts including that of general secretary (GS).
The election was held at the Bar Association office here onSaturday.
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BNP factional clash over Ekushey: 9 hurt in Jhalakathi
At least nine people including a police official were injured in a clash between two rival factions of BNP at a programme in observance of Ekushey in Jhalakati town on Sunday night.
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Gunfight with outlaws: 4 cops hurt in Babuganj
Seven persons including four constables of Babuganj police were injured in a gunfight between alleged outlaws and police on Sunday.
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Driver averts train accident
A train accident was averted at Akhaura railway junction due to a driver's prompt action on Monday.
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Police inquiry centre at B'baria village
A police inquiry centre was set up at Mirjapur village in Sadar upazila on Monday.
The centre was established to make urgent inquiries of different cases.
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| Point-Counterpoint |
The highway of hope
Indian Foreign Secretary has served notice on Bangladesh.Rarely has Indian expostulation been so candid as was Shyam Saran's speech on "India and its neighbours" at the India International Center.
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Facing the flood
The damage estimate of Flood 2004 was probably one of the most hotly debated issues associated with public policy discourse in Bangladesh last year.
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| Culture |
Upholding the spirit of Ekushey
As the day advances on Ekushey, the Shaheed Minar altar takes on a magnificent look with the combination of alpana and colourful flowers brought by millions who throng the Shaheed Minar to pay their respect.
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Padatik's daylong tribute to the Language Martyrs
February 21, prevalently known to Bangalees as Ekushey, evokes an array of values and emotions.
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Tapur Tupur observes Ekushey
Ekushey does not only denote the language martyrs making the ultimate sacrifice for our mother-tongue Bangla.
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Fakir Alamgir: A singer of the masses
Leading exponent of Gono Sangeet (People's song) Fakir Alamgir believes, "Gono Sangeet is not just another genre of music; it is also an artistic expression of revolt against all discrimination and dictatorship.
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Shangkhanaad releases in Europe
The film Shangkhanaad is soon to be released commercially in Europe by the distribution company Trigon-Films.
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Tara spreads its wings
Friends Television Network (FTN) of the US, with its local office in Dhaka, has been appointed as the distributor of Tara News, a 24-hour Bangla news channel and Tara Muzik for the television territory
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| General |
Improve quality of medical services: PM
Prime Minister Khaleda Zia yesterday urged the physicians to render their services selflessly to the people, particularly the poor and the distressed.
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'Police negligence bars justice to women, children'
Police negligence, limitations of forensic accessories and insensitiveness of the judicial department bar the justice to women and children, said the speakers at a stakeholder meeting yesterday.
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Tk 2.1cr Danish grant for good governance, HR
Danish Ambassador Niels Severin Munk has approved three grants totalling Tk 2.1 crore recently as part of the Human Rights and Good Governance Programme of the Royal Danish Embassy.
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Pro-liberation forces urged to unite against misrule of govt
Veteran opposition leaders, including former president AQM Badruddozza Chowdhury and noted lawyer Kamal Hossain, from a single platform yesterday called for unity of pro-liberation forces and honest leadership
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CEC, secretary face contempt charge
The High Court (HC) yesterday issued a rule upon Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) MA Syed and Secretary to EC SM Zakaria to show cause why a contempt of court charge should not be brought against them
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Madrasa closed as director accused of sexual abuse
A local committee of a residential area in the port city yesterday closed a madrasa after the director-cum-teacher of the institution was found guilty of sexual harassment of some students.
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One dies after taking sweet
One person died while four others of the same family fell seriously sick after taking sweet in the city yesterday.
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Indian citizen held in Ctg
An Indian citizen was held for suspicious movement after illegally entering the country through the port city yesterday afternoon.
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| International |
Bush, Chirac turn page on past tensions
US President George W.
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Blockade halts oxygen supplies to hospital
A crippling transport blockade by Maoist rebels has hit a major hospital in southwestern Nepal where lack of oxygen has prevented doctors from performing all but the most serious operations, hospitalofficials
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Pakistan urges US to help resolve conflicts in S Asia, ME
Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf Monday asked the United States to help resolve conflicts in South Asia and the Middle East for a durable peace, an official statement said.
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Bomb attacks kill 4 US, 2 Iraqi soldiers
A car bomb detonated near an Iraqi troop convoy as it left Baghdad's fortified Green Zone yesterday, killing two soldiers while four US soldiers were killed in bomb attacks on Monday.
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India, Pakistan launch talks to boost ties
India and Pakistan started talks yesterday on ways to strengthen ailing trade links as the peace process between the South Asian arch-rivals gathers pace, officials said.
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Norway opens peace talks with Tigers
Peacebroker Norway opened talks with Tiger rebels yesterday ahead of the third anniversary of an Oslo-brokered truce, amid signals by Sri Lanka that the guerrillas were aiding tsunami relief work.
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Palestinian PM agrees to revamp cabinet
Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qorei agreed yesterday to revamp his proposed cabinet with more reform-minded ministers and present the new government to parliament today, legislators said.
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Annan defends UN as 'vital to humanity'
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan defended the United Nations, which is beset by scandals from the Iraqi oil program to sexual abuse by peacekeepers, as "vital to humanity" in the Wall Street Journal yesterday.
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Pakistan backs UNSC berth for Japan, but no to India
Pakistani visiting Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri voiced support yesterday for Japan's goal of a permanent seat on the UN Security Council but had reservations about the bid of rival India, a
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Kashmiris warned of avalanches, toll hits 175
India's army warned yesterday of fresh avalanches in Indian Kashmir, where the death toll from massive snowslides hit 175, and urged people living in the most mountainous areas to flee their homes.
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US urges Taiwan, China not to be provocative
The United States yesterday called on Taiwan and China not to make provocative steps or statements while Beijing considers a law to prevent the island from drifting away from the mainland.
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| Editorial |
Editorial:
Tell-tale signs of tarnishing Ekushey
It is really worrying news that some fanatic elements were up to disrupting the observance of Amar Ekushey in places as part of their plan to erase the memory of one of the most glorious days in the history
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Editorial:
Minister takes refuge in divinity!
Shipping Minister Col.
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Why can't India get along with BNP government?
The Bangladesh government feels that India has let her down in postponing the 13th Saarc Summit at the last minute when every preparations including security for the summit was on a high gear.
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Coalition dharma or one-party dogma?
A year ago, the Indian National Congress built its first successful national political coalition, including the Left, regional forces, Dalits, and Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
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The economy is hostage to hartals
The Awami League and its allies recently announced a nine-day action programme including the 36-hour country wide hartal that started on February 14 and grand rallies in the capital on February 19.
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| Letters to Editor |
21 February
21st February is a day of pride. Yes, this is the day when the brave sons of the soil sacrificed their lives for our rights.
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Simply barbaric
The incident in front of the TSC on the Valentine's Day, dealt another blow to the state of democracy in Bangladesh. It does not really matter whether the JCD or the BCL was involved.
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Politics in Bangladesh
In his letter to the Editor (Daily Star, 20th Feb), Mr M. Awlad Hossain displays an unfortunate lack of knowledge of his country's system.
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A frustrated visitor
As a visitor to Bangladesh to represent the committee of a small charity in the UK, I have been frustrated by 5 days of hartal which prevented me from being as effective in visiting our project in Sylhet
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Violence in the name of religion
I had the opportunity to observe many students praying in different ways. They all were looking for peace and happiness in their life. I strongly believe that must be the only reason why religion exists.
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US-French relations Iran factor
After becoming the Secretary of State of the United States, Condoleeza Rice set out for a ten-stop tour in Europe and the Middle East. Among these, Paris was anticipated with the maximum interest.
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What does 'Islamist' mean?
I was searching my dictionary to find out the actual meaning of Islamist. But I couldn't find the meaning of this word. Does Islamist mean an extremist, it sounds like that.
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Why this delay?
I praise Dr. Kamal Hussein for demanding of an Independent National Commission to conduct a neutral and credible inquiry into all the bomb & grenade attacks.
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An appeal to UGC
I saw the letter of Tanzina Zinat Ovey about the credit transfer and an appeal to the UGC to rescue the students who are studying in those blacklisted universities (DS, February 16, 2005).
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Defend the country
I refer to the article of Ms. Griswold, which termed Bangladesh as the place for the next Islamic revolution. It is surprising that none of the national dailies even protested the article.
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Sensationalism
I was shocked by the emerging story of the book that alleges use of women in a highly questionable manner to force out confessions from some Guantanamo Bay prisoners, as discussed by Dr.
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World policeman
M J Akbar's article (The Daily Star: Feb. 15) has provoked me to pen my pennyworth of thought on the subject.
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Weekly holiday
I have gone through the recent news in your daily "DCCI meets PM" with great interest and am really inspired by the proposal to make Sunday the weekly holiday.
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Country's image
I was surprised to hear a ruling BNP lawmaker demanding enactment of a new law to bring opposition leader Sheikh Hasina and some other intellectuals to justice for what he said tarnishing the country's
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Extra judicial killings
This refers to an article published in The Daily Star on 15 February by Mr. Mahfuzur Rahman on Rab activities and the editorial dealing with the same issue captioned "Extra judicial killings".
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Anything but democratic, Mr. Jalil
The general secretary of the AL has said in a press briefing that hartal is a democratic means to express dissent.
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Hollow rhetoric
One wonders where we stand today. Despite all security around the DU, we had another bombing incident on the campus.
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Hartal and our rights
Can anyone tell me how HARTAL is allowed by our constitution. Nobody seems to quote the constitution while talking about HARTAL. I am not an expert on the subject "constitution".
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Democratic movement not a one way traffic
If exponents of 'Hartal' or for that matter of democratic rights call hartal right and left at the cost of national life and security of properties, public or private, the people also have the right to
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| StarTech |
Bangla computing: a missed window of opportunity?
Although Bangla is the mother tongue of the world's fourth largest population, it is yet to find its place in the computer operating system, the country's Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
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AkkhorBangla, getting bigger and better
MANY of you may recall the story of the eighteen-year-old tech genius Khan Mohammad Anwarus Salam, who developed a Bangla software called AkkhorBangla, published in StarTech last year.
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NCCPB-2005 hopes to standardise Bangla
Standardisation of Bangla in computing is an important area of research for those of the same nationality.
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Bipedal robots presented based on old-style toys, simple mechanics
BIPEDAL robots that work using the same dynamics as toys of yesteryear are more apt at imitating human steps than their more sophisticated electronic counterparts, researchers said.
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| Star Chittagong |
Hill cutting on as city fathers sleep
Hill cutting has long continued unabated in the port city, causing ecological imbalance and destruction to the scenic natural settings.
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Criminals rule streets as city plunges into darkness
Negligence in the management of streetlights plunges many city streets into darkness after sunset, creating a ghostly atmosphere where crime easily spreads, sources say.
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The game of power outage
The port city and its 35 lakh people are now suffering from a tremendous power supply shortage that has resulted largely from a gas crisis.
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Paying Homage to Language Martyrs
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| Star City |
City dwellers suffer as power outage getting worse
Power outage has started creeping into the life of the city residents, although the hot days of summer are yet to come.
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Beautification of old Dhaka underway
Old Dhaka, which was not included in the capital's beautification project will be beautified in next three months, to the joy of its residents who thought that their part of the city was neglected.
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DCC eyeing intersection grade-separation
Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) is reportedly planning to create intersection grade-separation double layers aiming at improving the traffic system and ensuring free flow of vehicles through the intersections.
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More satellite channels by April
At least four private satellite channels and one FM (Frequency Modulation) radio station are likely to receive permission soon as the information ministry has started processing their papers in a bidto
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Car requisitioning continues
Police continue requisitioning private vehicles ignoring a High Court order that asked the law-enforcers not to requisition any privately owned vehicle.
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Footpath Encroachers?
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